The Arc of Kansas Politics

The history of Kansas is unlike any other state in the Union. Inspired by the recent book Reform and Reaction: The Arc of Kansas Politics (University Press of Kansas, 2024), Philadelphia Inquirer politics and government reporter Katie Bernard sits with former Kansas governors Kathleen Sebelius (D) and Mike Hayden (R) to discuss the complex story of—and their experiences with—recent Kansas politics, from the 1960s to today.

Reform and Reaction is edited by Michael A. Smith (Wichita State University) and H. Edward Flentje (Emporia State University), and features contributions by the editors, Patrick Miller (University of Kansas), Chapman Rackaway (University of West Georgia), and the late Burdett Loomis (University of Kansas).

This program is presented in partnership with the University Press of Kansas

Katie Bernard covers election administration and suburban politics at the Philadelphia Inquirer. She was the paper’s point person for voting processes during the 2024 presidential election as Pennsylvania was a hotbed of election misinformation. Previously, Katie was a statehouse reporter at the Kansas City Star where she led coverage of Kansas’ historic August 2022 abortion vote. She studied journalism and political science at the University of Kansas where she spent four years on the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board.

Former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius is one of America’s foremost experts on health policy, health care reform, and executive leadership. She served as U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services from 2009 to 2014, Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009 and Kansas Insurance Commissioner from 1995 to 2003. She also chaired the Democratic Governors Association in 2007. Sebelius holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity Washington University. Kathleen has also participated in various programs at the Dole Institute, including Discussion Groups programs and the Presidential Lecture Series. She currently serves as a member of the Institute’s Board of Advisors.

Former Kansas Governor John “Mike” Hayden was born in Atwood Kansas. He received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservatory from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in biology from Fort Hays State University. As an infantry company commander for the U.S. Army, Governor Hayden spent 13 months in Vietnam, where he received the Soldier’s Medal, two bronze Stars, and the Army Commendation Medal. He began his career in public service as a state representative, serving from 1972 to 1986. In 1983 and 1985, he was elected speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives. His legislative career was highlighted by numerous conservation and environmental achievements. Elected governor in 1986, Hayden improved the fiscal condition of the state; in 1988, Kansas was one of the top three states in reducing state taxes. His other administrative priorities included conservation of the state’s natural resources, rural community preservation, and efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse. In November 1988, Governor Hayden was elected chair of the Republican Governors Association.